It is part of the Clinic's overall strategy to consolidate labor and delivery services at three of its hospitals - Akron General, Fairview Hospital on Cleveland's west side and Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights.

There are no other labor and delivery services in Medina County.

Mayor Dennis Hanwell said he has reached out to the Cleveland Clinic to discuss the city's concerns about the closure.

He met with Dr. Stephen Jones, president of the Clinic's regional hospitals and family health centers, on March 28.

He said Jones indicated that he understood the community's concerns and the council and administration's concerns, but was not interested in holding public meetings on the matter or changing the decision.

Hanwell also joined Ohio Senate President Larry Obhoff, R-Medina, and State Rep. Steve Hambley, R-Brunswick, for a meeting with Jones at the Clinic on April 3.

Hanwell sent a letter to Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove and received a reply that the Clinic would "attempt to achieve the best results for all."

Hanwell also met with Dr. John Surso at the Summa Health Medical Group's facility at Lake Medina to see if Summa might be interested in providing labor and delivery services there.

Hanwell said Surso has spoken with doctors and nurses from Medina Hospital about that possibility and hopes to put together a committee to look into it.

Ward 1 Councilman Brian Hilberg said the council decided to make the resolution as a way to go on record with its opposition to the closing of the birthing center.

"We all agree that it's a shame that it's closing," he said.

Several residents at the meeting thanked Hanwell for his efforts and encouraged the city to keep fighting.

"We need to push back. We need to show these people we're not going to take this lying down," said resident and Medina City School District Board of Education member Ron Ross.